Economist Podcasts Kicking the canister down the road: EU energy policy
Jul 27, 2022
Slavea Chankova, Healthcare correspondent for The Economist, dives into pressing issues surrounding EU energy policy and mental health. She discusses Russia's critical gas supply cuts to Europe amid the Ukraine conflict, revealing the urgency facing EU energy ministers. Chankova also explores a groundbreaking review that questions the long-held serotonin hypothesis of depression, suggesting that reliance on SSRIs may be misguided. Additionally, she highlights the vibrant trust within Senegal's community-driven plant market, providing a contrast to broader geopolitical tensions.
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Gas Cuts Retaliation
- Russia's gas cuts through Nord Stream 1 are likely retaliatory for European support of Ukraine, not maintenance issues.
- This has caused a 30% jump in European gas prices, a five-month high.
EU Gas Reduction Plan
- EU energy ministers agreed on voluntary 15% gas consumption cuts for member states.
- These cuts could become mandatory if the winter gas situation worsens.
Varied Gas Dependencies
- EU countries have varying dependencies on Russian gas, from Spain's low 10% due to LNG investments to Germany's high 35%.
- Germany's reliance on cheap Russian gas fueled its industry and allowed it to close coal and nuclear plants.